The Russian invasion of Hungary: a Hungarian joke In Budapest in 1956 the Hungarian uprising has been crushed by Russian tanks and the city was in ruins. On the battered buildings, government posters show the friendly assistance given to Hungary by the Soviet Union. Two men meet on the street. 'You know come to think of it, we Hungarians are very lucky people.' ' What? You don’t mean you’ve become one of them?' 'Oh no, but just think. The Russians came here as friends. Imagine what they’d have done if they came here as enemies!'
CONTEXT Background: Following the fall of Germany in World War 2, the Hungarian people were ruled over by the iron rod of Communist Russia. They were subjected to many violations of trust and human rights and suffered from Poverty, strict Soviet ruling, censorship and banishment of religious practices. They were ripped from their liberties and in retaliation the Hungarian people rose up in revolt to challenge the Communist leaders of its country in 1956. The protests lead to the death of Hungarian people, yet raised awareness across the globe of the injustices taking place in Europe.
Summary: The events of the Hungarian uprising can be traced back to 1949 when Matyas Rakosi was elected into power in the Hungarian Communist party as a result of a series of purges that took place in government. Rakosi subsequently ruled over Hungary with an iron grip yet when long-standing Soviet leader Josef Stalin died in 1953, Rakosi was replaced by Imre Nagy who believed in communism with a “human face”, raising hopes of a political reform in Hungary. Yet unfortunately Nagy was replaced as Hungarian Prime Minister for trying to implement “liberal” policies and as such on the 23rd October 1956 students marched through Budapest in protest, a movement joined by 200,000 people to broadcast their demands for the countries direction. Yet it was also on this day when the first shots were fired as the secret police opened fire to disperse crowds. Throughout October battles raged through Budapest and eventually spread to the countryside taking thousands of Hungarian citizens lives in the process. The revolt reached a climactic point in November 1956 after Hungary announced its withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and declaring its neutrality. This action was followed by Soviet tanks rolling through Budapest destroying the last remnants of the revolution and claiming around 5000 civilian lives, and numerous buildings in the central city.
Perspectives: The USA decided to not intervene in the Hungarian Uprising and oppose the Soviets as they did not want to agitate and unearth another War against their European counterpart in the USSR. The Eisenhower government felt that implementing troops into Hungary and surrounding areas would only cause a great loss of life on both sides. On the other hand, the USSR wanted to expand their empire and the communist movement. They believed that gaining more land and people, represented expansion and strengthening of their ideological views.
Implications: Short term: After the Soviet’s claimed victory over the freedom fighters in Hungary, many citizens began fleeing across the border into Austria, some 200,000 eventually escaping to the west. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Hungarians were jailed or deported to the Soviet Union for the role that they played in the uprising. 2 years after the Hungarian Uprising Imry Nagy was hanged under Kremlin orders for the role that he played in the uprising. He took refuge in the Yugoslav embassy, where he stayed until 1958 where he was granted safe asylum under the Kadar government. Despite Kadar’s promise he was still detained in Romania before being put on secret trial and ruled to be hanged immediately. Long term: In July 1989, Imry Nagy’s name was officially cleared and was awarded a state funeral. On the 15th March 1989, 100,000 of protestors gathered together in Budapest in a peaceful call for democracy and as a result of the protests on the 26th April 1989 Soviet troops began to withdraw. The last troops leave on the 16th June 1991. 2nd May 1989 Work begins dismantling the makeshift, fortified border with Austria and on the 7th October the Hungarian communist party officially ceases to exist. The first democratic elections were held in April 1990.
SIX ANNOTATED PRIMARY SOURCES 1.This image shows a ruined statue of USSR leader and communist movement spearhead, Josef Stalin, on the streets in Budapest. Taken in Budapest Hungary in 1956This image is valuable because it provides context about the de-Stalinastion process that took place after long time leader Josef Stalin died. It represents the call for reform against the pressures and injustices of Soviet society. The source is a possible representation of the mood swing in the Hungarian people where their attitudes turned from distaste to anger, and also a starting point for the official uprising, although it had been brewing in the shadows for quite some time.
2. The photo shows a group of freedom fighters kicking and defiling a body of a deceased AVH (the Hungarian secret police) as he is tied up to a tree.
This source represents the hatred and pure brashness of the Hungarian people, and the actions they will take once pushed to their limits. The image gives off a specific tone of vengeance as the Hungarian people strike back against the AVH in an even crueler way than had been imposed on them. The crowd is large and reflects the raised emotions of the Hungarians as they turn from bitterness to rage. It is valuable because it shows the feelings of the citizens and displays their rage.
3. A broadcast message from then Hungarian Prime Minister, Imry Nagy at 5am on the morning that the Soviet forces rolled through Budapest in Tanks crushing the revolt. (November 4th 1956)
“This fight is the fight for freedom by the Hungarian people against the Russian intervention, and it is possible that I shall only be able to stay at my post for one or two hours. The whole world will see how the Russian armed forces, contrary to all treaties and conventions, are crushing the resistance of the Hungarian people. They will also see how they are kidnapping the Prime Minister of a country which is a Member of the United Nations, taking him from the capital, and therefore it cannot be doubted at all that this is the most brutal form of intervention. I should like in these last moments to ask the leaders of the revolution, if they can, to leave the country. I ask that all that I have said in my broadcast, and what we have agreed on with the revolutionary leaders during meetings in Parliament, should be put in a memorandum, and the leaders should turn to all the peoples of the world for help and explain that today it is Hungary and tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, it will be the turn of other countries because the imperialism of Moscow does not know borders, and is only trying to play for tine.” – Imry Nagy: Last Message (November 4, 1956)
This source is extremely valuable because it portrays the emotions and beliefs of the Hungarian Prime Minister at the time of overwhelming and unstoppable destruction. Although clearly defeated, Nagy sought out the positives of the situation, explaining that “The whole world will see how the Russian armed forces, contrary to all treaties and conventions, are crushing the resistance of the Hungarian people.” He appears to convey that although the Hungarians have lost numerous lives and chances at retaining liberty, they have made significant progress in bringing down Soviet forces
4. An account from Noel Barber on the events of the 27th October 1956 from the Daily mail. Barber was a resident in Budapest Hungary when the October revolution took off.
"Tonight Budapest is a city of mourning. Black flags hang from every window. For during the past four days thousands of its citizens fighting to throw off the yoke of Russia have been killed or wounded. Budapest is a city that is slowly dying. Its streets and once-beautiful squares are a shamble of broken glass, burnt-out cars and tanks, and rubble. Food is scarce, petrol is running out. But still the battle rages on. For five hours this morning until a misty dawn broke over Budapest I was in the thick of one of the battles. It was between Soviet troops and insurgents trying to force a passage across the Danube." - Noel Barber (27th October 1956)
The reflection from Noel Barber provides a valuable insight into the first-hand emotions and reactions to the events of the uprising. In the passage Noel describes Budapest as a “city of mourning” and that it is a “city that is slowly dying”. Noel himself fought in the battles against communist forces making him a reliable source. This source is more valuable when compared to that of a non-freedom fighter because Noel Barber did fight and experienced the battles first hand.
5. A cartoon from the Bombay express in November 1956. The caption says “Lets go wash our hands in the Canal”.
The source shows a dead mangled body on the ground, representing the country of Hungary. Standing above the dead body is Stalin and Khrushchev, with both their hands bloody and dripping as they have committed the murder. They wish to “wash their hands in the Canal” to clean themselves of the deed that they have committed. The image represents the savage destruction of Hungary by Soviet leaders in retaliation to the Hungarian revolt. It is valuable because it shows the perspective of outside nations and their opinions on the matter at hand.
6. Source 6 is a British cartoon from 1956 that shows a Soviet soldier eliminating a United Nations representative that was sent to Hungary to help. Attached to the peaceful wreath that the UNO girl is holding is a message saying “Help for Hungary – A resolution from the UNO”
This source is valuable because it represents a British perspective on the Hungarian Uprising and also explains how the Soviets cut off all outside support from the Hungarian people. The image shows a soviet soldier walking away from a murder, rifle in hand. It represents how the Soviets showed no mercy to the Hungarian people when combatting their attempted uprising. It is valuable because it confirms that the United Nations Organisation did attempt to salvage the Hungarian people by offering assistance to them, yet was not successful in their pursuit.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Biblio details:
Blackwood, Alan. The Hungarian Uprising
Wayland Publishers LTD, 61 Western road, Hove, East Sussux BN3 1 JD, England.
Notes:
A valuable source on conditions in Hungary post World War 2 providing context and historical significances in the period. Outlines how the uprising began, gained traction and finished.
Biblio details:
Ambrosy, Anna. A Brave Nation – A Short political and Social history of 20th Century Hungary
Hungarian Life Publishing, Melbourne, 3165, Australia in 2001.
Notes:
The book provides a short yet detailed insight into the 1956 Hungarian uprising. It provides an apt timeline of events from the 16th October 1956 from the first shots fired to Soviet military occupation.
This website is a valuable resource because it sums up the cold war and how it relates and intertwines with the Hungarian uprising. This source also stands out because it provides context into what other countries are doing, such as allied powers of the United States, GBR and France and how they are helping a country in turmoil.
This website contains three pages of a numbered timeline, expanding on each significant event or shift that happened regarding the Hungarian uprising. It also displays a page of causes and effects (both positive and negative) regarding the uprising.
This website provides and accurate and detailed timeline documentation of key significant events the occured in the Hungarian uprising, both pre and post 1956.
This website is of significant value because it contains primary sources and an in depth analysis of the Hungarian revolution. It contains images and quotes from significant individuals from the time period
Question one: “Cold War? Heck, it was a hot war!” (Robert McNamara, US Secretary of Defence 1961 – 1968) To what extent do you agree with Robert McNamara’s statement that it was a ‘hot war’? A “Cold war” is defined as a state of hostility between countries characterised by threats, propaganda, and other measure short of open warfare, in particular. As such, the US secretary of Defence, Robert McNamara was disillusioned in his statement to a degree. For the non-militaristic war that broke out between the USSR and USA superpowers prior to World War 2, it should be regarded as a “Cold war” as it was extremely hostile and “heated”. However, various bouts of physical warfare broke out between countries such as the Vietnamese and Koreans due to the Cold War, and as such the period can be described as a “hot war”.
An example of the Cold war coming dangerously close to breaking out in conflict was the Cuban Missile crisis that took place in October1962. In the latter stages of the Cold war, tensions almost reached a tipping point in the Carrabin after the USSR began the construction of nuclear weapons, placing the citizens of the US seriously close to total annihilation. The crisis was resolved after a 14 day stand off between the two nations, and later in 1963, the President of the USA was quoted saying: “We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked”. Due to the increased hostility between nations, yet lacking physical violence, the dispute between the USSR and USA can only be described as a “Cold War”.
On the contrary to the previous paragraph, the Cold war did spur on and cause warfare in other countries to the USA and USSR. Two major examples of these battles are the Vietnamese war, and the Korean war that took place due to differing political ideals confined within the country. For example, in the Korean war, the Soviet’s advised the North Koreans to invade the southern regions and also supplied them with weapons to support their campaign. The issue of safety in the regions arose in a United Nations conference, and as a result the US came to aid the South Koreans, creating a very real and physical war, that claimed the lives of many. The war can be described as the super powers of the USSR and USA, playing puppets with the Koreans, to fight a larger war of political preference. Due to this, to a large degree the Cold war can in fact be described as a “Hot war”.
Question two: Why is the Cold War worth remembering? (Hint: you may like to use the criteria for historical significance that are listed above) The cold war was a period of historical tension, beginning at the end of World War 2 in 1947 and finished after the dismantlement of the USSR in 1991. It consisted of numerous significant events, such as the Berlin wall, Cuban Missile crisis, the Hungarian Uprising, the Vietnam and Korean wars and the space race. All of these events had a profound influence on a large degree of people, over a relatively long period of time. As such the Cold War is often described as a significant period in history and is worth remembering.
An example of the impact of the cold war was the approximate number of deaths caused by the Cold war. An interesting question, as the Cold War never fully escalated to an all out conflict. However, according to Joshua Goldstein of Foreign Policy magazine, around 7 million deaths were believed to be a direct result of the Cold War tensions. 180,000 deaths per year is a momentous figure in terms of human history, and most of it was due to purges in communist societies and espionage actions internationally.
The Cold War also changed the world in a different way, a political way. In the period, countries were largely divided into Communist of Capitalist societies. Predominantly, western European societies were Capitalist, whilst the Eastern bloc of Europe and Asia utilised the Communist system. Nations like Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria all had varied success in revolutions, but nonetheless political revolts were evident across the globe. These events are significant because they drastically changed the course of numerous countries, leading to oppression in some cases and success in others. Due to this, the Cold war is worth remembering and reflecting on.
THE HUNGARIAN UPRISING
The Russian invasion of Hungary: a Hungarian jokeIn Budapest in 1956 the Hungarian uprising has been crushed by Russian tanks and the city was in ruins. On the battered buildings, government posters show the friendly assistance given to Hungary by the Soviet Union.
Two men meet on the street.
'You know come to think of it, we Hungarians are very lucky people.'
' What? You don’t mean you’ve become one of them?'
'Oh no, but just think. The Russians came here as friends. Imagine what they’d have done if they came here as enemies!'
CONTEXT
Background:
Following the fall of Germany in World War 2, the Hungarian people were ruled over by the iron rod of Communist Russia. They were subjected to many violations of trust and human rights and suffered from Poverty, strict Soviet ruling, censorship and banishment of religious practices. They were ripped from their liberties and in retaliation the Hungarian people rose up in revolt to challenge the Communist leaders of its country in 1956. The protests lead to the death of Hungarian people, yet raised awareness across the globe of the injustices taking place in Europe.
Summary:
The events of the Hungarian uprising can be traced back to 1949 when Matyas Rakosi was elected into power in the Hungarian Communist party as a result of a series of purges that took place in government. Rakosi subsequently ruled over Hungary with an iron grip yet when long-standing Soviet leader Josef Stalin died in 1953, Rakosi was replaced by Imre Nagy who believed in communism with a “human face”, raising hopes of a political reform in Hungary. Yet unfortunately Nagy was replaced as Hungarian Prime Minister for trying to implement “liberal” policies and as such on the 23rd October 1956 students marched through Budapest in protest, a movement joined by 200,000 people to broadcast their demands for the countries direction. Yet it was also on this day when the first shots were fired as the secret police opened fire to disperse crowds. Throughout October battles raged through Budapest and eventually spread to the countryside taking thousands of Hungarian citizens lives in the process. The revolt reached a climactic point in November 1956 after Hungary announced its withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and declaring its neutrality. This action was followed by Soviet tanks rolling through Budapest destroying the last remnants of the revolution and claiming around 5000 civilian lives, and numerous buildings in the central city.
Perspectives:
The USA decided to not intervene in the Hungarian Uprising and oppose the Soviets as they did not want to agitate and unearth another War against their European counterpart in the USSR. The Eisenhower government felt that implementing troops into Hungary and surrounding areas would only cause a great loss of life on both sides. On the other hand, the USSR wanted to expand their empire and the communist movement. They believed that gaining more land and people, represented expansion and strengthening of their ideological views.
Implications:
Short term: After the Soviet’s claimed victory over the freedom fighters in Hungary, many citizens began fleeing across the border into Austria, some 200,000 eventually escaping to the west. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Hungarians were jailed or deported to the Soviet Union for the role that they played in the uprising.
2 years after the Hungarian Uprising Imry Nagy was hanged under Kremlin orders for the role that he played in the uprising. He took refuge in the Yugoslav embassy, where he stayed until 1958 where he was granted safe asylum under the Kadar government. Despite Kadar’s promise he was still detained in Romania before being put on secret trial and ruled to be hanged immediately.
Long term: In July 1989, Imry Nagy’s name was officially cleared and was awarded a state funeral.
On the 15th March 1989, 100,000 of protestors gathered together in Budapest in a peaceful call for democracy and as a result of the protests on the 26th April 1989 Soviet troops began to withdraw. The last troops leave on the 16th June 1991.
2nd May 1989 Work begins dismantling the makeshift, fortified border with Austria and on the 7th October the Hungarian communist party officially ceases to exist. The first democratic elections were held in April 1990.
SIX ANNOTATED PRIMARY SOURCES
1.This image shows a ruined statue of USSR leader and communist movement spearhead, Josef Stalin, on the streets in Budapest. Taken in Budapest Hungary in 1956This image is valuable because it provides context about the de-Stalinastion process that took place after long time leader Josef Stalin died. It represents the call for reform against the pressures and injustices of Soviet society. The source is a possible representation of the mood swing in the Hungarian people where their attitudes turned from distaste to anger, and also a starting point for the official uprising, although it had been brewing in the shadows for quite some time.
2. The photo shows a group of freedom fighters kicking and defiling a body of a deceased AVH (the Hungarian secret police) as he is tied up to a tree.
3. A broadcast message from then Hungarian Prime Minister, Imry Nagy at 5am on the morning that the Soviet forces rolled through Budapest in Tanks crushing the revolt. (November 4th 1956)
“This fight is the fight for freedom by the Hungarian people against the Russian intervention, and it is possible that I shall only be able to stay at my post for one or two hours. The whole world will see how the Russian armed forces, contrary to all treaties and conventions, are crushing the resistance of the Hungarian people. They will also see how they are kidnapping the Prime Minister of a country which is a Member of the United Nations, taking him from the capital, and therefore it cannot be doubted at all that this is the most brutal form of intervention. I should like in these last moments to ask the leaders of the revolution, if they can, to leave the country. I ask that all that I have said in my broadcast, and what we have agreed on with the revolutionary leaders during meetings in Parliament, should be put in a memorandum, and the leaders should turn to all the peoples of the world for help and explain that today it is Hungary and tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, it will be the turn of other countries because the imperialism of Moscow does not know borders, and is only trying to play for tine.” – Imry Nagy: Last Message (November 4, 1956)
This source is extremely valuable because it portrays the emotions and beliefs of the Hungarian Prime Minister at the time of overwhelming and unstoppable destruction. Although clearly defeated, Nagy sought out the positives of the situation, explaining that “The whole world will see how the Russian armed forces, contrary to all treaties and conventions, are crushing the resistance of the Hungarian people.” He appears to convey that although the Hungarians have lost numerous lives and chances at retaining liberty, they have made significant progress in bringing down Soviet forces
4. An account from Noel Barber on the events of the 27th October 1956 from the Daily mail. Barber was a resident in Budapest Hungary when the October revolution took off.
"Tonight Budapest is a city of mourning. Black flags hang from every window. For during the past four days thousands of its citizens fighting to throw off the yoke of Russia have been killed or wounded. Budapest is a city that is slowly dying. Its streets and once-beautiful squares are a shamble of broken glass, burnt-out cars and tanks, and rubble. Food is scarce, petrol is running out. But still the battle rages on. For five hours this morning until a misty dawn broke over Budapest I was in the thick of one of the battles. It was between Soviet troops and insurgents trying to force a passage across the Danube." - Noel Barber (27th October 1956)
The reflection from Noel Barber provides a valuable insight into the first-hand emotions and reactions to the events of the uprising. In the passage Noel describes Budapest as a “city of mourning” and that it is a “city that is slowly dying”. Noel himself fought in the battles against communist forces making him a reliable source. This source is more valuable when compared to that of a non-freedom fighter because Noel Barber did fight and experienced the battles first hand.
5. A cartoon from the Bombay express in November 1956. The caption says “Lets go wash our hands in the Canal”.
6. Source 6 is a British cartoon from 1956 that shows a Soviet soldier eliminating a United Nations representative that was sent to Hungary to help. Attached to the peaceful wreath that the UNO girl is holding is a message saying “Help for Hungary – A resolution from the UNO”
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wayland Publishers LTD, 61 Western road, Hove, East Sussux BN3 1 JD, England.
Hungarian Life Publishing, Melbourne, 3165, Australia in 2001.
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/the-cold-war-9bc0ded5-293e-4e46-82d5-cf79102fae40
Question one:
“Cold War? Heck, it was a hot war!” (Robert McNamara, US Secretary of Defence 1961 – 1968)
To what extent do you agree with Robert McNamara’s statement that it was a ‘hot war’?
A “Cold war” is defined as a state of hostility between countries characterised by threats, propaganda, and other measure short of open warfare, in particular. As such, the US secretary of Defence, Robert McNamara was disillusioned in his statement to a degree. For the non-militaristic war that broke out between the USSR and USA superpowers prior to World War 2, it should be regarded as a “Cold war” as it was extremely hostile and “heated”. However, various bouts of physical warfare broke out between countries such as the Vietnamese and Koreans due to the Cold War, and as such the period can be described as a “hot war”.
An example of the Cold war coming dangerously close to breaking out in conflict was the Cuban Missile crisis that took place in October1962. In the latter stages of the Cold war, tensions almost reached a tipping point in the Carrabin after the USSR began the construction of nuclear weapons, placing the citizens of the US seriously close to total annihilation. The crisis was resolved after a 14 day stand off between the two nations, and later in 1963, the President of the USA was quoted saying: “We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked”. Due to the increased hostility between nations, yet lacking physical violence, the dispute between the USSR and USA can only be described as a “Cold War”.
On the contrary to the previous paragraph, the Cold war did spur on and cause warfare in other countries to the USA and USSR. Two major examples of these battles are the Vietnamese war, and the Korean war that took place due to differing political ideals confined within the country. For example, in the Korean war, the Soviet’s advised the North Koreans to invade the southern regions and also supplied them with weapons to support their campaign. The issue of safety in the regions arose in a United Nations conference, and as a result the US came to aid the South Koreans, creating a very real and physical war, that claimed the lives of many. The war can be described as the super powers of the USSR and USA, playing puppets with the Koreans, to fight a larger war of political preference. Due to this, to a large degree the Cold war can in fact be described as a “Hot war”.
Question two:
Why is the Cold War worth remembering? (Hint: you may like to use the criteria for historical significance that are listed above)
The cold war was a period of historical tension, beginning at the end of World War 2 in 1947 and finished after the dismantlement of the USSR in 1991. It consisted of numerous significant events, such as the Berlin wall, Cuban Missile crisis, the Hungarian Uprising, the Vietnam and Korean wars and the space race. All of these events had a profound influence on a large degree of people, over a relatively long period of time. As such the Cold War is often described as a significant period in history and is worth remembering.
An example of the impact of the cold war was the approximate number of deaths caused by the Cold war. An interesting question, as the Cold War never fully escalated to an all out conflict. However, according to Joshua Goldstein of Foreign Policy magazine, around 7 million deaths were believed to be a direct result of the Cold War tensions. 180,000 deaths per year is a momentous figure in terms of human history, and most of it was due to purges in communist societies and espionage actions internationally.
The Cold War also changed the world in a different way, a political way. In the period, countries were largely divided into Communist of Capitalist societies. Predominantly, western European societies were Capitalist, whilst the Eastern bloc of Europe and Asia utilised the Communist system. Nations like Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria all had varied success in revolutions, but nonetheless political revolts were evident across the globe. These events are significant because they drastically changed the course of numerous countries, leading to oppression in some cases and success in others. Due to this, the Cold war is worth remembering and reflecting on.